Capacity Building for the ARUA's COE on Post Conflict Societies
Lead Research Organisation:
Addis Ababa University
Department Name: Institute for Peace and Security Studies
Abstract
In line with the goals and objectives of CoE of ARUA, this project seeks to contribute to sustainable peace and development goals of the United Nations agenda 2030 by focusing on the sub-theme of violence. With this purpose, the project attempts to understand why effective accountable and inclusive institutions have not been built in the conflict affected or post-conflict societies. Addtionally, it tries to understand the dynamics of the blockages of peacebuilding, with a primary focus on factors, actors, internal and external dynamics, which have undermined the implementation of peace deals as suggested by the UN's Sustaining Peace Agenda (2016). It comparatively examines factors that hinder peace at the local, national and global levels: What these obstacles are, where they come from and how they can be overcome? Hence, the research aims to contrast the local and narratives of the factors that foster direct and structural violence. By doing this it establishes a post-conflict, conflict-affected studies network comprised of African universities in the network.
Planned Impact
It is envisaged that implementation of the project objectives will ultimately lead the hub and spoke universities to acquiring qualified staff who can contribute to quality education and research capacity. The researchers in the universities will also be better equipped with improved research methodologies and techniques that enables them to undertake independent researches and disseminate their findings using dependable journals. In addition, partner universities will be able to develop better understanding of the peace blockages in the continent and provide homegrown solutions that influence policy decisions of states, regional and international organizations.
Organisations
- Addis Ababa University (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Manchester (Project Partner)
- Haramaya University (Project Partner)
- Protestant University of Central Africa (Project Partner)
- Africa University (Project Partner)
- University of Hargeisa (Project Partner)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (Project Partner)
Publications
Agnila. J.
(2022)
Freedom of the Press and Peace in Benin: A Study of Hindrance Strategies
in JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )
Anemone, M
(2022)
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE CONFLICT IN THE NORTH-WEST AND SOUTH-WEST REGIONS OF CAMEROON: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PEACE POTENTIAL OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR BILINGUALISM AND MULTICULTURALISM AS OPPOSED TO INTERCULTURAL MEDIATION
in International Journal of Advanced Academic Research
Ayenew Yeshiwas D
(2023)
High-modernist intervention and the prolonged frontier conflict in Metekel, North-West Ethiopia: the case of the grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
in Small Wars & Insurgencies
Belachew A
(2023)
Social Factors Affecting Religious Institutions in the Maintenance of Peace and Harmony in East Hararghe Zone: The Case of Selected Religious Institutions
in Cogent Social Sciences
Belda F
(2024)
Land acquisition for industrial development and its repercussions on the peace of the local farming communities in Lume District, Oromia, Ethiopia
in Cogent Social Sciences
Gudeta Gerba T
(2024)
The Roles of Women in Endogenous Peacemaking Institutions: The Case of Borana Women in Southern Ethiopia
in Women's Studies
Halefom A
(2022)
Integrating Traditional and State Institutions for Conflict Prevention: Institutional, Legal and Policy Frameworks in Ethiopia
in Mizan Law Review
Hassan, S A
(2022)
The Role of Women in Somaliland's 2021 Elections
Jafer E
(2022)
Post conflict-induced displacement: Human security challenges of internally displaced persons in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Ethiopia
in Cogent Social Sciences
Jordana, D
(2022)
THE DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION PROGRAMME IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BOKO HARAM IN THE FAR NORTH REGION OF CAMEROON: UNDERSTANDING THE PEACE BLOCKAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
in International Journal of Advanced Academic Research
Keno GI
(2022)
The Muka-Laafaa: The Image of Oromo Women under the Gadaa System and Its Implications for Peace
in East African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Omotuyi, S
(2022)
Operation Safe Corridor: The Missing Components in Nigeria's Deradicalisation Programme as an Effective Counterterrorism Strategy in Northeast
in African Journal of Terrorism and Insurgency Research (AJoTIR)
Pinduka N
(2023)
Refugeehood in Crisis and the Quest for a Decolonial Turn in Africa
in Pan-African Conversations
Pinduka N
(2023)
Women's Rights in Refugee and Internal Displacement Settings in Africa: Time to Seriously Invoke the Maputo Protocol
in Southern African Public Law
| Description | The Capacity Building project aimed to support early career scholars (mainly PhD candidates and post doctoral researchers) through small grants, research and publication trainings, provision of platforms to present findings to a policy audience, short term fellowships and staff exchanges among partner universities. The project has met this objective by delivering upon all of the planned activities. Additionally, the project aimed to make the training materials it developed to support these early career scholars to others beyond the project period. Aiming to do this, the project successfully developed an online platform where courses in the are of peace and security (both substantive and research skill related courses). https://elearning.postconflictsocieties.org |
| Exploitation Route | Others can use and share with their students, the e-learning website developed through this project. They can do that by registering on https://elearning.postconflictsocieties.org and using the platform to access courses on peace and security in Africa. Furthermore, professionals can partner with the CoE to offer relevant courses on the e-learning platform. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Government Democracy and Justice Security and Diplomacy |
| URL | https://postconflictsocieties.org |
| Description | The main impact this project has created is enhance the academic capabilities of early career scholars in Africa in the area of peace and security. This has mainly increased the visibility and capacity of African academics in producing peace and conflict related knowledge in the continent. Accordingly, the project has impacted the work of of 51 early career scholars in providing them research grants, allowing them to produce 51 research papers. Additionally the project aimed to impact the work of early career scholars by building their capacity to publish policy briefs. Accordingly, the project has supported 21 researchers from 6 universities from across Africa to publish policy brief. Thirdly the project provided 37 early career scholars with trainings and small grants to publish peer reviewed articles. Accordingly, 37 early career scholars have received the trainings and grants. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Input to parliament reform processes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | The House of People's Representatives has adopted the use of a digital platform for e-participation that was developed through a different UKRI funded project. |
| Description | Academic Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | On 02 March 2024 the CoE on post conflict societies organized a workshop to provide a platform for 13 capacity building grantees to present their draft and published work to an academic and policy audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Exchange and Networking between Haremaya University in Ethiopia and Hargeisa University in Somaliland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Three staff members of the Institute of Peace and Development Studies at Haramaya University visited the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Hargeisa. The visit created an opportunity for the two institutes to build a collaborative working relationship in the fields of peace, conflict and development. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | KNOWLEDGE & INFORMATION SHARING VIRTUAL WORKSHOP (Zimbabwe) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This activity was conducted by Africa University (AU) through the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance (IPLG) located in the College of Business, Peace Leadership and Governance (CBPLG). The knowledge and information sharing virtual workshop was a platform for researchers in the integrated fields of peace and security and governance. The workshop which took a hybrid format was attended by 30 participants. The objective of the workshop was to support PhD and DPhil candidates and other faculty staff members with skills and competencies in disseminating their research findings to different audiences and using different platforms including conferences, seminars and virtual webinars series. It also served as a platform for PhD /DPhil students to learn from established researchers as they presented their researches including thematic areas on Migration and Refugee Protection of People on the Move. The workshop created a network opportunity for PhD students and staff members. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Knowledge and information sharing virtual workshop in Zimbabwe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | On Friday, 11 November, 2022, the CBPLG through the Institute of Peace Leadership and Governance (IPLG) held a blended knowledge sharing workshop, which started at 0900am. The United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), under the Capacity Building Collaboration Project spearheaded by the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. The financial support for the workshop came through the IPSS-ARUA-UKRI alliance with IPSS as the coordinating University. The objectives of the Knowledge Sharing Workshop were to provide a platform to share knowledge as well as enhancing networking among external and internal academicians and PhD students. There were three presentations, one physical and the other two were virtual. Mr Masese and Dr Nyikadzino facilitated the proceedings. The presentations were as follows: Presentation 1: Dr Ashton Murwira Topic: Peacebuilding through Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS): Lessons from CSOs in Zimbabwe Discussant: Mrs Eunice Bere Presentation 2: Mrs Dudziro Nhengu Topic: Effectiveness of African Union strategies to combat al Shabaab in Somalia. Discussant: Mr Wycliff Arisi Presentation 3: Dr Hardlife Zvoushe (University of Zimbabwe) Topic: Dynamics of policy transfer: Analysing Zimbabwe's STEM initiative in the education sector. Discussant: Mr Thomas Masese |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Qualitative research training in Somaliland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | In August, 2023; the Institute organized a five-day training on social science research (5-9 August, 2023) where Messay Mulugeta Tefera (Ph.D), an Associate Professor at the College of Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; and experienced researcher delivered the training. This training mainly focused on qualitative analysis of social science research. Around 29 participants attended the workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Quantitative research training in Somaliland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | In December 2023; the Institute organized a six-day training on quantitative analysis. Around 20 participants attended the workshop. This six-day workshop was facilitated by Dr. Abdisalan Hassan Musa who is a quantitative expert at Amoud University in Somaliland. He has a Ph.D in statistics from Pan African University in Kenya. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Research Skills Training in Zimbabwe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | From 8 - 10 March 2022, the College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance through the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance (IPLG) held a Three-Day Research Methodology Training Workshop. The main aim of the workshop was to equip and empower AU PhD/DPhil students and early career post-doc staff with the skills, knowledge and abilities required for conducting social science research. This was achieved through comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of social science research from problem identification up to compiling and publication of results. Given the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, students were also equipped with the knowledge and skills of online research. The workshop also empowered students with the knowledge of applying different data analysis and reference management tools and software. Generally, the workshop helped the participants in selecting, designing and applying the different social science research methodologies and designs. The workshop covered both the theoretical and practical components of social science research methodology. It covered the following key areas: i) How to find a good research topic and the foundations of social science research methodology that is, research problem identification, how to write a problem statement, research questions/objectives and justification or relevance of the topic in terms of indentification of knowledge gaps to be addressed. ii) Selecting the appropriate theoretical framework, developing the conceptual framework and reshaping the research questions; iii) The art of conducting and writing comprehensive literature; iv) Sampling, data collection and analysis v) Going online: Research in the era of COVID-19 vi) Data management, analysis and interpretation vii) Reference management tools and software viii) Report writing. The training sessions was conducted by facilitators with practical social science research methods experience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Research Skills Training in Zimbabwe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Research Skills Training was a platform for established researcher to training PhD students in peace and security and governance on research methodology. The programme also included university staff members engaged in PhD studying at Africa University and other university. The main aim of the training was to sharpen the research skills of PhD /DPhil students. The virtual workshop was facilitated by established researchers, namely, Prof Pamela Machakanja, Prof Stanley Murairwa, and Dr Priscilla Munasirei who presented on the theme: Research Integrity and Scientific Publishing; Preparing and Undertaking Mixed Methods Research in Social Science: Critical factors to consider; and Thesis writing - Writing with ease respectively. The key highlights of the presentation on Research Integrity and Scientific Publishing was on the importance of sustaining research integrity for personal and institutional reputational for building public and private trust and reputational sustenance, The facilitators also shared the guiding principles that researchers and research institutions should adhere to in developing a strong research culture supportive of robust research outputs. Participants were also guided on the purposes of publishing their work and how to identify reputable and impactful journals and knowledge outlets and avoid predatory journals. Participants were also taken through the rigours of using mixed methods as most research endeavours in Social Science are now taking a multi-inter-and trans-disciplinary stance in solving societal problems. The third presentation focused on helping candidates with skills and competencies expected of them in writing their theses. Participants were given opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification. The deliberations that took place demonstrated that participants appreciated the training in improving their research skills. Those who were at the proposal stage benefited from the presentations made and were asking for more of such trainings. Those who were at the thesis writing stage, which is often frustrating for many students benefited from the PhD research experiences shared. Outcome: The training improved the participants' research skills as well as building resilience. The presenters, through the shared experiences, highlighted the inevitability of challenges during research and encouraged participants to be resilient. This resulted in attitudinal changes among participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Research Skills Training in Zimbabwe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | For the benefit of participants who could not be accommodated in the March training, the College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance through the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance held another Three-Day Research Methodology Training Workshop from 24-26 August 2022. The aim of the workshop was to equip and empower AU PhD/DPhil students and post-doc staff with the skills, knowledge and abilities required for conducting social science research. This was achieved through comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of social science research from problem identification up to compiling and publication of results. Given the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, students were also equipped with the knowledge and skills of online research. The workshop also empower students with the knowledge of applying different data analysis and reference management tools and software. Generally, the workshop helped the participants in selecting, designing and applying the different social science research methodologies and designs. The workshop covered both the theoretical and practical components of social science research methodology. It covered the following key areas: ix) How to find a good research topic and the foundations of social science research methodology ie research problem identification, research questions/objectives; x) Selecting the appropriate theoretical framework, developing the conceptual framework and reshaping the research questions; xi) The art of conducting and writing comprehensive literature; xii) Sampling, data collection and analysis xiii) Going online: Research in the era of COVID-19 xiv) Data analysis and reference management tools and software xv) Report writing. The training sessions was conducted by facilitators with practical social science research methods experience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Research Validation Workshop in Zimbabwe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | On 27 October 2022, the College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance hosted a virtual validation work. The purpose of the workshop was to create an opportunity for PhD students who got research grants support to present their preliminary findings and receive feedback from senior researchers. Through the workshop, presenter got constructive feedback that enabled them to improve the quality of their papers. The platform also served as a knowledge sharing opportunity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Research skills training in Zimbabwe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | From 21 - 23 September 2021, the College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance through the Institute of Peace Leadership and Governance held a three-day Research Methodology workshop. The Research Skills Training was a platform for established researchers to mentor through training PhD students in peace and security and governance on social science research methodology. The programme also included university staff members engaged in PhD studying at Africa University and other universities. The objective of the training was to sharpen the research skills of PhD candidates. Established researcher, namely, Prof Pamela Machakanja, Prof Stanley Murairwa, Prof Peter Mageto, Dr Priscilla Munasirei and Dr Tawanda Nyikadzino presented on the Research integrity and scientific publishing; Preparing and undertaking mixed methods research in Social Science: Critical factors to consider; and Thesis writing - Writing with ease, respectively. Participants were given opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification. The deliberations that took place demonstrated that participants appreciated the training in improving their research skills. Those who were at the proposal stage benefited from the presentations made and were asking for more of such trainings. Those who were at the thesis writing stage, which is often frustrating for many students benefited from the PhD research experiences shared. The training improved the participants' research skills as well as building resilience. The presenters, through the shared experiences, highlighted the inevitability of challenges during research and encouraged participants to be resilient. This resulted in attitudinal changes among participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Social Science Research methodology training workshops in Nigeria (a series of three training workshops) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Three versions of both social science methodological workshop and stakeholders/validation meetings were held last year immediately after the suspension of industrial actions by the academic staff of the Nigeria Universities. Participants were exposed to basic concepts in social science methodology. The wide publicity given to all the activities undertaken on campus has elicited interest in the training even beyond the campus environment. After the first training was concluded, applications were received from candidates from outside the University to participate in the subsequent training workshops. In addition, some of the participants in the training, especially, the M.Sc students have indicated interest to pursue the PhD program. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://aruaukri.oauife.edu.ng |
| Description | Stakeholder validation meeting in Nigeria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | over 50 post graduate students and policy makers attended the validation workshop to reflect and provide feedback on the research conducted by the grantees of the capacity building project in Nigeria. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Stakeholder validation meeting in Nigeria (II) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | over 50 people attended the regional validation workshop that facilitated research finding presentations by early career scholars supported through the capacity building project at Obafemi Owolowo University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Training on Qualitative Research approach at Haremaya, Ethiopia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 15 PhD students in Peace and Development Studies received training on a qualitative research approach. The training enhanced the students' ability to conduct quality research by introducing them to qualitative research data collecting and analysis methods, which are the most widely used approach in peace and development research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Training on Research and Publishing in Haremaya, Ethiopia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | PhD students received training on research and publishing. The training enhanced the students' ability to conduct quality research by introducing them to how to make their work ready for publication and the publication Chanels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Validation and Policy Dialogue Platforms |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Early career scholars that have benefited from the capacity building project are given an opportunity to present their key findings and policy recommendations by inviting policy makers, practitioners and post graduate students. This allows them to present innovative ideas as well as build their research based on critical questions forwarded to them by the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Validation and Policy Dialogue Platforms |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Early career scholars that have benefited from the capacity building project are given an opportunity to present their key findings and policy recommendations by inviting policy makers, practitioners and post graduate students. This allows them to present innovative ideas as well as build their research based on critical questions forwarded to them by the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Workshop on Rethinking Higher Education in Post Conflict Socities (Side Event at the ARUA Biennial Conference) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The CoE on Post Conflict Societies working in collaboration with spoke universities to organize a side event at the ARUA biennial conference held in November 2023, Lagos, Nigeria. The side event was organized in the form of a round table where speakers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Somaliland, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia exchange how conflict conflicts in each of these countries shapes higher education and vice versa. The round table participants are working to publish their views collectively in 2024. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop on how to write and publish an article in Somaliland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | In January 2024; the Institute organized a three-day workshop on how to write and publish an article facilitated by Dr. Kevin Kester who is a visiting professor at the Institute. Dr. Kester is a tenure-track associate professor of comparative international education and peace, and development studies in the Department of Education at Seoul National University in South Korea. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | policy dialogue / dissemination meeting in Nigeria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | the dissemination workshop attracted attention not only from academics and policy makers but also the general public that participated in research finding dissemination by early career researchers at Obafemi Owolowo University in Nigeria. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://aruaukri.oauife.edu.ng |